Grand Boulevard theater debut nears

Published: Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 09:08 AM.

Construction on Grand Boulevard’s state-of-the-art movie theater is nearing completion before its expected opening in mid-March.

The 40,000-square-foot, nearly $10 million theater is being built on the west side of Grand Boulevard. Construction on Carmike Cinema’s Boulevard 10 theater started last June.

“We are putting the finishing touches on the cinema, and that includes installing the stadium seating, the digital sound systems, final flooring and fixtures throughout the cinema and auditoriums,” said Stacey Brady, marketing director for Grand Boulevard. “We are on target for a mid-March grand opening. We’re excited that spring break crowds are going to be able to enjoy the great spring movies in a state-of-the-art 10-screen movie theater.”

A manager and assistant manager have been hired, and Brady said interviews are under way to fill about 35 other positions. People can apply in person at the portable office set up behind the theater or call the job hotline at 850-432-3628.

As the name implies, the Boulevard 10 will feature 10 screens that will seat a total of 1,800 people. Two of screens will be in specialty auditoriums.

One, dubbed the Big D, will boast a screen more than 60 feet wide and three stories tall. It is designed to compete with the IMAX venues in the area.

Construction on Grand Boulevard’s state-of-the-art movie theater is nearing completion before its expected opening in mid-March.

The 40,000-square-foot, nearly $10 million theater is being built on the west side of Grand Boulevard. Construction on Carmike Cinema’s Boulevard 10 theater started last June.

“We are putting the finishing touches on the cinema, and that includes installing the stadium seating, the digital sound systems, final flooring and fixtures throughout the cinema and auditoriums,” said Stacey Brady, marketing director for Grand Boulevard. “We are on target for a mid-March grand opening. We’re excited that spring break crowds are going to be able to enjoy the great spring movies in a state-of-the-art 10-screen movie theater.”

A manager and assistant manager have been hired, and Brady said interviews are under way to fill about 35 other positions. People can apply in person at the portable office set up behind the theater or call the job hotline at 850-432-3628.

As the name implies, the Boulevard 10 will feature 10 screens that will seat a total of 1,800 people. Two of screens will be in specialty auditoriums.

One, dubbed the Big D, will boast a screen more than 60 feet wide and three stories tall. It is designed to compete with the IMAX venues in the area.

“The quality and clarity of the Big D auditorium just creates an amazing experience for the moviegoers,” Brady said. “If you enjoy the big action movies and blockbusters, this is really going to enhance that thrilling movie experience.”

The Grand Boulevard theater will be just the 14th in the country to have a Carmike Cinema’s Big D auditorium. It will be the company’s first Big D in Florida.

At the other end of the spectrum is an auditorium called the Ovation Club, with seating for only 120 people. The Ovation Club is designed to be a more intimate venue, and will feature a full food menu as well as beer and wine.

Plans for the theaters grand opening are still being finalized, Brady said.